By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Government and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) experts have called on Nigerian youth to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to address societal challenges. The appeal was made during the 2025 Commonwealth Day event organized by the Tantacom Group and the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) at the University of Lagos, Akoka. Themed “AI, Youth, and the Future of Work,” the event attracted hundreds of students and young professionals.
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, highlighted AI’s transformative role in redefining productivity and creativity across industries. He emphasized that AI is not a threat but an ally for young professionals, enabling faster innovation and more efficient execution of tasks.
“AI empowers young entrepreneurs by allowing them to draft business proposals, generate financial models, and create marketing strategies within hours,” Ogunlende said. “Beyond automation, AI is creating new career paths in machine learning, data science, and AI-assisted design.”
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting youth in AI-driven ventures. He stressed that AI is not the future but the present, urging young people to adapt and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Co-CEO of Tantacom Group, Mrs. Jennifer Odufuwa, underscored the rapid transformation AI is bringing to industries such as finance, healthcare, and agriculture. She emphasized the need for collaboration and innovation to ensure no one is left behind in the digital age.
Her counterpart, Mrs. Olufunke Adu, described Commonwealth Day as a movement fostering AI literacy among youth across 56 countries. She announced the launch of the Commonwealth AI Academy, a free self-paced learning platform offering courses in machine learning and AI-related skills.
“We want young people to embrace AI as a tool for career advancement,” Adu said. “This initiative ensures Nigerian youth are not just spectators but active participants in the global AI conversation.”
The event also featured insights from industry leaders, including Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) Country Representative Abdbasit Saba, Wema Bank Chief Partnership Officer Ajibade Laolu-Adewale, and JCI Nigeria President Oluwatoyin Atanda. They emphasized AI’s potential to create more jobs than it displaces, urging youth to acquire AI-related skills to remain competitive.
A panel discussion, moderated by Tech Lawyer and AI Optimization Consultant Bukola Ogunsakin, featured industry experts such as Ayotunde Ayoola, Peter Oriaku, John Atomode, and Chioma Nwahiri. The panelists encouraged youth to harness AI for positive societal impact.
The event reaffirmed AI’s role in shaping the future of work and the need for Nigerian youth to integrate AI into their professional journeys to drive innovation and economic growth.
